Welcome Home Travis!

This is old news that somehow was at the top of the BoO site before TSN even had it on the front page. How are people supposed to complain about the Toronto Sports Network if they are slacking in giving any scrap of Leafs content top billing.

Travis Green, formerly of the Western Conference Anaheim Ducks, is a known quantity in LeafLand as this will be his second tour of duty with the buds. Previously, he was one of the three musketeers, Corson and Tucker were the others, that played a big part in making the Leafs difficult to play against. He consistently brought a bit of sandpaper to the lineup, killed penalties, was a strong in the face-off circle, and added some timely scoring. According to Bill Watters on Sportsnet, he was a good influence in the dressing room and he should be able to impart some wisdom to the young and inexperienced forward corps.

Considering how tight the Leafs are against the cap, or at least how tight they would be if everyone was healthy, this is a good move by JFJ. Green is a known quantity and is an NHL veteran. Right away the Leafs will be better having him in the lineup instead of another AHLer. His grittiness helps to decrease the sandpaper deficit that Toronto was suffering. It's ironic that when I was watching the December 30th Ottawa game Green's name came up as a player that in the past would not have allowed the sens' shenanigans to go unchecked. He will also help fill Peca's shoes in the face off department and in killing penalties.

There is no doubt that this is a short-term solution but as far as that goes it is a strong move by JFJ. The next question will be how he will deal with Sundin and Tucker.

Survivor: Toronto's Blue Line

No, this year does not feature an ethnic divide but rather a health divide. As in, the healthy players will start the season and the injured guys will have to wait for their chance. Thanks to bad ice (Kronwall) and two ottawa senators the Leafs D will be made up of Tomas Kaberle, Bryan McCabe, Pavel Kubina, Hal Gill, Ian White, Jay Harrison, and Andy Wozniewski.

Bell, the victim of a Dany Heatley lumberjack attack, is out of commission for at least 5-6 days until further tests can reveal the extent of the damage suffered when he was confused for a tree. Right now they think it is a bruise and that he'll be out three weeks but I have also read that there is damage to the 'structure' of the foot. Whatever that means.

Carlo, the victim of a pick by Vaclav Varada, has recovered from his concussion but is suffering from headaches because of all of the hard work that Maurice has had the team do during training camp. He's been out since day one so a stint with the Marlies to get up to speed is not out of line.

Staffan Kronwall, who sprained his right ankle sliding into the boards, is out for at least three weeks. Same for Kronwall, time with the Marlies to get up to speed and if any of the three up do not perform then he will get his chance

UPDATE: Looks like Heatley will be getting off with a verbal warning from the perennially inept Colin Campbell. Hopefully, Colin will agree that Tucker was aiming for Heatley's stick when he breaks his hand on October 4th. Just kidding, I do not condone revenge but apparently Campbell wants to encourage it. Idiot.

Training Camp Update

The Leafs have announced their first large roster trim. Nothing too surprising other than the fact that it looks like this year's first draft pick, Jiri Tlusty, will be starting his North American career in the AHL (Update: The Leafs are not sure where he will play). One more day of practice before the final cuts will most likely be made. Wednesday will see both the Leafs and Marlies in action.

Looking at who is left you see that there are no surprises.

Here are the guys that are locks to be on the full roster come October 4, 2006.

Forwards (10)
Nik Antropov, Chad Kilger, Jeff O'Neill, Michael Peca, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Matt Stajan, Alex Steen, Mats Sundin, Darcy Tucker, Kyle Wellwood

Defencemen (4)
Tomas Kaberle, Bryan McCabe, Pavel Kubina, Hal Gill

Goaltenders (1)
Andrew Raycroft

Depending on what Maurice decides to carry (13/14 forwards, 7/8 defencemen, 2 goalies)

Forwards (3-4/6)
Bates Battaglia, Brad Leeb, Ben Ondrus, John Pohl, Aleksander Suglobov, Erik Westrum

Defencemen (3-4/7)
Wade Belak, Brendan Bell, Carlo Colaiacovo, Jay Harrison, Staffan Kronwall, Ian White, Andy Wozniewski, Brad Brown, Marc Moro

Goaltenders (1/2)
Mikael Tellqvist, Jean-Sebastien Aubin

The Leafs have three pre-season games left: Wednesday against the sens and a home and home starting Saturday against the Wings. Judging from the way that Maurice has set his roster for the games thus far I think that he will use the ottawa game to make his final cuts. On the defence side it will be easy to dress almost the entire bubble squad because of the injuries. In the forwards, Mats, Darcy, and Peca at least will probably get the night off. This will set the team up nicely to dress their opening night squad for the game against the Wings.

If I was to handicap the races based solely on the three games this weekend (not taking into account whether Wellwood is used as a winger or whether Maurice wants a grinders-only fourth line or whether people have been injured) I would rank the players as follows:

Forwards
John Pohl, Bates Battaglia, Aleksander Suglobov, Brad Leeb, Ben Ondrus, Erik Westrum

Defencemen
Ian White, Brendan Bell, Jay Harrison, Andy Wozniewski, Staffan Kronwall, Wade Belak, Carlo Colaiacovo, Brad Brown, Marc Moro

Goaltenders
Jean-Sebastien Aubin, Mikael Tellqvist

We will probably know the final roster by Thursday but with a new coach it is a little hard to hazard a guess as to who will make the final cut. All I can hope is that the players are all healthy for the first regular installment of the Battle of Ontario and are ready to get the Leafs back in the playoffs.